LOS ANGELES, CA - Authorities on Sunday reached 91 percent containment on the massive Route Fire that burned over 5,200 acres in Los Angeles County.
The fire started around 12 p.m. Wednesday near the Golden State (5) Freeway and Lake Hughes Road, according to Cal Fire. Full containment on the fire was expected by Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The two right lanes of the northbound I-5 Freeway between Lake Hughes Road and Templin Highway were closed Saturday and expected to stay that way though the holiday weekend, Caltrans reported. Retaining walls burned, and structural engineers must inspect wall integrity before any load is put on lanes, Caltrans said.
Ridge Route Road remained closed between Templin Highway and Pine Crest Place to all but local access and emergency crews.
The fire destroyed two structures and led to seven heat-related firefighter injuries, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.
The seven firefighters who suffered heat-related injuries Wednesday have all been released from the hospital and were "doing well," authorities said. Firefighters battled a major heatwave bringing triple-digit heat to the area throughout the weekend. Temps around the fire were expected to reach 105 degrees Sunday.
One home along Ridge Route was destroyed, and a separate outbuilding in a different location was damaged, Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia said Thursday.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The fire threatened 550 structures as it burned, according to L.A. County Fire Department.
City News Service Contributed to this report.
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